Congratulations on your decision to get married! Here you will find general
information on requirements for marriage in the State of Washington, information
about the San Juan County Auditor’s Office, and a link which will allow you to
fill out your application online. If you have questions, please call us at
360-378-2161.

Hours of Operation

10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
San Juan County Courthouse, First Floor

However, the RCW also permits unlicensed clerics to perform marriage ceremonies.

RCW 26.04.060: Marriage before unauthorized
cleric—Effect.
A marriage solemnized before any person professing to be a minister or a priest
of any religious denomination in this state or professing to be an authorized
officer thereof, is not void, nor shall the validity thereof be in any way
affected on account of any want of power or authority in such person, if such
marriage be consummated with a belief on the part of the persons so married, or
either of them, that they have been lawfully joined in marriage. [1975-'76 2nd
ex.s. c 42 § 25; Code 1881 § 2388; 1866 p 83 §§ 10 and 11; 1854 p 405 § 6; RRS §
8442. Formerly RCW 26.04.060 and 26.24.200.] NOTES:
Severability—Savings—Construction—1975-’76 2nd ex.s. c 42: See RCW 26.26.900
through 26.26.905.

Ministers from any state may perform ceremonies. Washington State does not
license ministers; this is a function of religious institutions.

The spouses may not perform their own ceremony.

Attached is a list of persons in San Juan County who are known to perform ceremonies.
The provision of this list does not constitute recommendation or approval of the
officiants, nor does it attest to their credentials.
(Click here for the list of officiants)

There is no prescribed way in which a ceremony must be performed. The Revised
Code of Washington states the following:

RCW 26.04.070: Form of solemnization.
In the solemnization of marriage no particular form is required, except that the
parties thereto shall assent or declare in the presence of the minister, priest
or judicial officer solemnizing the same, and in the presence of at least two
attending witnesses, that they take each other to be spouses. [Code
1881 § 2383; 1866 p 82 § 5;RRS § 8443.]

The
applicants must agree to take each other as spouses in front
of two witnesses and the officiant.